What were the most popular dog breeds of 2018?
Every year, the American Kennel Club releases the statistics of the most popular breeds registered in the previous year. It’s been that way for many decades, providing an interesting look at dogdom and dog owners throughout the twentieth century. With that said, what were the most popular dog breeds of 2018?
There wasn’t much turnover in the rankings, honestly. All the same breeds that made the top 10 in 2017 also made the top 10 in 2018, with only two breeds changing position.
They came from the Hound Group, the Sporting Group, the Non-Sporting Group, the Terrier Group and the Working Group, going by their classifications in the world of dog shows. (We have a handy explanation of the basics right there, if you wanted to learn how they work.)
Let’s jump into the rankings now. “drumroll begins”
Yorkshire Terrier
2018 rank – No. 10
2017 rank – No. 9
The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the most well-known members of the Terrier Group, almost all of which were developed in one region of the United Kingdom or another.
Yorkies are friendly and make terrific office dogs, and can count among their members Vegas Golden Knights superfan Goldie, who got to attend the earlier this year with Bark-Andre Furry the Jack Russell Terrier.
Colorado Rockies pitcher Jon Gray is also a big fan of the breed.
German Shorthaired Pointer
2018 rank – No. 9
2017 rank – No. 10
The German Shorthaired Pointer, often referred to simply as the GSP, is a fantastic hunting dog, specifically at retrieving quail, and overall extremely athletic in general, excelling at a variety of dog sports, including agility and flyball.
The narrator in children’s author Bill Wallace’s The Backwards Bird Dog, JC, is a GSP, and that book was based on a true story from their family.
Rottweiler
2018 rank – No. 8
2017 rank – No. 8
Rottweilers get a bad reputation as mean and snarly at best, outright vicious at worst. Like Dobermans, they can be excellent pets, and are extremely loyal watchdogs. They were originally bred to haul (and guard) butcher’s wagons in Germany during the middle ages.
They do need to be thoroughly well trained during puppyhood, however, lest they become accidental terrors due to their strength and large-ish size.
A misunderstood Rottweiler is one of the main characters in Bill Wallace’s Upchuck and the Rotten Willy.
Poodle
2018 rank – No. 7
2017 rank – No. 7
Poodles, especially when they’re wearing show cuts, look ludicrous, and that’s not even counting the weird world of competitive dog grooming. They come in two sizes, standard (very tall) and miniature (what’s typically thought of as normal size).
But they’re also one of the most intelligent breeds out there, according to Stanley Coren’s book The Intelligence of Dogs, and often compete – and do well in – agility competitions across the country.
Incidentally, a pair of Poodles are antagonists in Upchuck and the Rotten Willy.
Beagle
2018 rank – No. 6
2017 rank – No. 6
If they aren’t at the top of the list, Beagles are in the very highest echelon of breeds among Wesley’s rankings, and he thinks that No. 6 is far too low. Beagles are smallish medium-sized hounds who will eat anything and scare off intruders with their enormous deep scary barks while simultaneously melting everyone with their adorability and soulful eyes.
There are many amazing Beagles on Dog Twitter, including Buddy Mercury, Beagle Facts and the Triangle Beagle Rescue, which recently hosted our favorite wedding ever.
They also star in many books, including Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s Shiloh (which we reviewed here).
Bulldog
2018 rank – No. 5
2017 rank – No. 5
Originally bred as part of the dark side of Victorian England, Bulldogs are friendly and a little lazy, and they can kind of drool a lot. But their naturally frowny faces hide a good-tempered soul underneath.
Bulldogs are also some of the most popular mascots for college and high school sports teams, as many of our friends among the dogs of Twitter can testify.
French Bulldog
2018 rank – No. 4
2017 rank – No. 4
Often just called Frenchies, the French Bulldog was bred as a companion dog by English refugees who moved to Paris after losing their jobs because of the Industrial Revolution.
They are small and cute and a little ridiculous, and also among the most stolen dogs in the world, as NASCAR driver Joey Logano found out earlier this summer.
Golden Retriever
2018 rank – No. 3
2017 rank -No. 3
Where do you begin the describe the greatness of the Golden Retriever? With Buddy’s multi-sport prowess at baseball, basketball, football, soccer and volleyball? With his talking puppies?
With the joy that batdogs like the peripatetic Jake the Diamond Dog, the Trenton Thunder’s Rookie or the Frisco RoughRiders’ Brooks bring to fans at the ballpark?
With how good a family dog they are, setting nervousness at ease without trying?
However you slice it, Goldens are amazing.
German Shepherd
2018 rank – No. 2
2017 rank – No. 2
The German Shepherd, also known as the Alsatian, is the default breed when police dogs or military dogs are brought to mind.
They possess an difficult-to-describe aura of dignity and nobility, as even the AKC’s Breed Standard can’t explain it adequately, but they make loyal watchdogs.
Brutus, of the web comic Pixie and Brutus from Pet Foolery, is an Alsatian, and Roy Rogers’ Bullet the Wonder Dog and 1920s megastar Rin Tin Tin are some of the most famous members of the breed to grace the silver screen.
Labrador Retriever
2018 rank – No. 1
2017 rank – No. 1
Who doesn’t love Labs? They’re essentially all the best things about dogs all wrapped up in one package.
They’ve been the most popular breed for the past 28 human years and counting, which is about 164 in dog years. They’re super athletic, good tempered, photogenic, and they’re good at hunting, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Labs make terrific family pets as companion dogs, and look really hecking cute in viral videos. They also make excellent therapy dogs and many of hockey’s service dogs in training are Labs.
Even country music stars like Luke Bryan and Scotty McCreery agree, having adopted Poochie and Moose, respectively, this year.
Was your favorite among the most popular dog breeds of 2018? If not, what is your favorite breed? Let us know on the Dog O’Day Facebook and Twitter pages, and if you’d want to write for us (we’d love to have you join the team), please apply to become a contributor.